City of St. Petersburg Celebrates Preserve America Community Designation at Opening of Trcate that was signed by First Lady Laura Bush, the honorary chair of Preserve America.

  On Friday, June 13, 2008, John Oliver, Deputy Director of NOAA Fisheries, officially welcomed the City of St. Petersburg as a Preserve America Community during the sneak preview opening of the Treasures of NOAA's Ark at the Museum. Mayor Rick Baker was on hand to receive the designation certificate that was signed by First Lady Laura Bush, the honorary chair of Preserve America.

The Preserve America initiative is a White House effort to encourage and support community efforts for the preservation and enjoyment of America's priceless cultural and natural heritage. Through this prestigious designation, the county becomes eligible for Preserve America Grants and other assistance to its historic preservation and heritage tourism efforts.

The goals of the initiative, which is administered by the ACHP in partnership with other federal agencies, include a greater shared knowledge about the nation's past; strengthened regional identities and local pride; increased local participation in preserving the country's cultural and natural heritage assets; and support for the economic vitality of communities.

Preserve America began as a White House initiative in 2003. More than 600 cities, counties, tribes, and neighborhoods in all 50 states, Washington, D.C., Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands have been designated Preserve America Communities.

Preserve America Communities become eligible for technical and financial support for educational and marketing opportunities. 

Preserve America Grants compliment the bricks and mortar funding of the Save America's Treasures grant program by helping local communities develop sustainable resource and marketing management strategies, sound business practices for the continued preservation and use of heritage assets, and educational and interpretive efforts.

For more on this exciting initiative, Visit  www.preserveamerica.gov